On Trend

I'm not one to follow trends.  I can't really define my style; it's not trendy, classic, or bohemian.  It's eclectic I suppose; a mixture of all three.  However, I'm also rather cheap when it comes to clothing, particularly clothing items that are trends.  Reason being, they just don't stick around long enough for me to spend what little fun money my teaching salary allots.

I've had this tie dye maxi dress in my closet for a while now, but the last time I wore it was on my honeymoon (2 years ago) so I've had it in my repurpose basket for some time now.

I've had my eye on those dresses/skirts for a while now that are shorter in the front than they are in the back.  I had considered making the dress into one, but I really don't wear strapless that often so I decided to turn it into a skirt.

First I cut all the elastic out of the dress careful to save it for future projects.

The fabric has so much stretch in it that I didn't think it was necessary to put an elastic waistband in so, I just gave the top a waistband by folding it over twice and sewing.  I, then, cut the skirt to the length I wanted in front and back and folded the hem over twice and stitched.

I'm pretty pleased with the way it came out.  It will definitely be a fun skirt to wear to a concert in this southern heat.

Nifty Thrifty

While on summer vacation I utilize a lot of my time thrifting and repurposing/refashioning items I've found at thrift stores.  Recently, I've randomly decided to go into a few thrift stores and hit what people like me (I think there are other people like me out there...) would consider the "gold mine."

This Ralph Lauren sweater and red jersey pencil skirt were found at a thrift stores called Cozie's in Liberty, NC.  This was my first time ever walking into Cozie's and I must say it will not be a thrift store I frequent primarily due to the fact that it is the most unorganized clustermuck I've ever tried to shop in.  However, with the time, energy, and desire for a good hunt, there are some treasures to be found.  Just not a place to pop in and browse.

When I went to VT to pick up my hubby, his plane was delayed so I was stuck (sigh...such a miserable place to be stuck - VT has no sales tax on clothing) with nothing to do for a couple of hours, but hunt around the local thrift stores and TJ Maxx.  Woe was me.

In Goodwill, I scavenged and found a pair of Seven jeans for just $7.  For those of you familiar with this brand, that is like 150% savings (disregard my mathlete skills) so I immediately snapped them up and prayed I could fit into a size 27.  Hallelujah!  They're mine.

Last, but not least, my mom took the hub and I thrifting and antiquing around town on our last day at home.  We love going through thrift stores, but it was really hard to do this so far from home because we knew we couldn't take home all the goodies we would find.  We have been on the hunt for a china cabinet to display our wedding china for almost a year now with no such luck.  Everything we've found has either been too expensive, too big, or too in need of work.

Anyway, in a thrift store in Essex, NY, I found a pair of shoes that I had on my feet before the lady that owned the place had even finished greeting us.  I've been eyeing shoes in this style for months now, but hadn't found a pair that a. fit me, b. are in my price range, and c. are in decent condition.  All until I walked into ReNew.  These shoes were labeless and sizeless, but they are made of real leather in Brazil and cost me $3.

So excited with my new finds!  I also found a fantastic dress at TJ Maxx to wear to a wedding I am in in October.  The stipulations from the bride were for it to be plum and along my typical style guidelines.  I think I found a gem; she agreed.  I'm sure I'll post an outfit pic or 25 from the wedding.

Home Sweet Home

Have no fear!  I'm alive and well.  I've been visiting my hometown for the past week and a half.  For those of you that don't know, there are still areas of this country that do not support WiFi, cell service, or at times gps!  I had the luxury of growing up in one of said places.

You may sense some sarcasm in that, but I have to say, I thoroughly enjoy my time at home because it provides me that time away from my laptop/cellphone/kindle leash that I've tethered myself to. (Or that society has us all tethered to.)

It hit me several weeks ago that I had not been home since Thanksgiving.  And it broke my heart until I turned to my hubby who immediately fixed the problem by saying, "Well, let's go!!" Just one reason why I love him so.

There are so many reasons why I love going home:
1. Already mentioned: unavoidable inaccessibility
2. Family. I'm huge on family and miss them all so much it hurts.
3. The view.  I grew up in the Adirondack Mountains on Lake Champlain.  It doesn't get any prettier and as much as my father in law tries to argue, it really is God's country.
4. Friendships that have lasted and will continue to last a lifetime.
5. Sharing my childhood memories with my man.  He gets to share his with me all the time because we live not far from where he grew up.  It's nice for me to get to show him around.

As soon as I got home, mom and dad's dog jumped on my suitcase and demanded I never leave...

I will have to tell you the story of how they got Brandi some day...it's a good one.

I drove up to NY by myself stopping first to spend 3 days with my brother in Syracuse where he treated me like a queen.  I spent a day with my aunt who also loved on me.  Then I trekked up to the ADK.  Justin wasn't able to get as much time off work so he flew up later in the week and I rode the ferry over to Burlington, VT to pick him up.

While home I caught up with friends I haven't seen in entirely too long and spent precious moments with the family I love so much my heart swells just thinking about them.  And I always make sure to stop and visit my cousin, Sgt. Justin Wrisley Garvey's, bridge.